Jacobo

There is much to like about Rancho Las Tilapias -- the staff is pleasant and Alex, the on-site manager from about 7 AM to 8 PM, is a gem. The photos correctly depict the cabins, which are well constructed and have pleasant porches. The food in the on-site restaurant is excellent, especially the tilapia dishes and the other Costa Rican items we tried (e.g., the ceviche). That said, the 5 km road to the Rancho from the main highway is in poor condition, even for unpaved roads generally that I drove or rode on in Costa Rica. Figure on 15 minutes, with considerable pothole dodging in places, to get from the highway to the Rancho. The Rancho itself, in my opinion, is better suited for travelers who want to focus more on the opportunities it presents for exploration of the countryside by ATV or horseback, both of which it offers, than as a base of operations for traveling around the Quepos-and-points-south region. Characterizing it as a lodging option for staying in Manuel Antonio, to me, would not be the best way of thinking about the property, unless one wants to be really off the beaten track. We had a few instances of spotty internet access and a tripped circuit breaker to the cabin area, which we have brought to the attention of the owner and which I expect will be addressed.